With a 30-point game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers, giving him 271 for his career, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry extended his record for most 30-point games by a point guard since the NBA/ABA merger, per Basketball Reference’s StatHead.
The NBA/ABA merger was in 1976-77, and no point guard since then has more 30-point games than Curry. When removing the NBA/ABA merger qualification, Curry only trails legendary point guard Oscar Robertson in 30-point games at his position. While both James Harden and Allen Iverson are ahead of Curry on this list, they are listed as shooting guards for most of their careers by Basketball Reference.
Curry’s argument for being the greatest point guard of all-time is largely dependent on his shooting and scoring ability. While both Curry and Magic Johnson have accomplishments the other does not, their contrasting play-styles often leaves the debate up to what one values.
For Curry, as this stat shows, he is the greatest scoring point guard of all-time. Of course also the greatest shooter of all-time, Curry is far above Magic in these two areas of the game. That said, Magic is the best playmaker of all-time, which some believe holds more value at the point guard position.
While Curry does not have the assist numbers that Magic has, his playmaking goes far beyond assists. Defended differently than any player in NBA history, often being picked up by multiple defenders at mid-court, Curry’s mere presence on the floor creates opportunities for his teammates.
Whether someone ranks Curry first or second all-time on their point guard list, there is no denying his status as one of the very best players in league history.
